Capital Connect: Odisha's Mega Ring Road Project Takes Shape

Odisha is set to witness a major infrastructure upgrade with the development of the 110-km, six-lane Greenfield Capital Region Ring Road project—also referred to as the Bhubaneswar Bypass.

Estimated at ₹8,300 crore, the access-controlled expressway will serve as a critical arterial link between Khurda, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack, aiming to decongest the heavily trafficked 86-km stretch of NH-16. The expressway will originate from Rameshwar in Khurda and terminate at Tangi near Cuttack, offering a seamless bypass around the state capital region.

Once operational, the project is expected to reduce travel time between key urban centers from two hours to approximately 80 minutes. Designed for high-speed travel with a speed limit of 100 kmph, the road is intended to support rising traffic volumes and facilitate planned urban expansion.

The proposal has secured approval from an inter-ministerial panel and is awaiting final clearance from the Union Cabinet. To be executed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), the project will feature six interchanges, four elevated corridors, five major and 44 minor bridges, three rail overbridges, and 17 vehicle underpasses.

The Odisha government will contribute 50% of the ₹1,029 crore land acquisition cost, demonstrating strong state support for the initiative.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.